Last week, Nintendo held their long awaited Nintendo Direct broadcast to unveil information on their upcoming NX console.
Just kidding… We are six months away from the announced launch of the new system and still know next to nothing about the console.
Don’t fret, though, as the Nintendo Direct did share a TON of info regarding their golden child, the 3DS.
Here’s what we learned:
The New Nintendo 3DS Galaxy Style
In what is perhaps the most complex naming scheme since Nintendo’s recent eshop release of Super Mario 64 DS for Wii U, Reggie shared how hot he is on the newest member of the 3DS family. It sports a beautiful deep purple color on the back, annnnnd a really dumb looking cosmic design on the front. Don’t get me wrong here, I love space more than most people, but holy crap this looks awful. Thankfully, when it comes to Nintendo, I’ve long since adopted the mantra, “maybe this wasn’t made for me.”
You can get the New Nintendo 3DS Galaxy Style right now for $199.99 suggested retail.
Pokémon Sun and Moon
Most of what has been said on Pokémon is just confirming what we already know (New forms of existing Pokémon.) One new piece of information was announced pertaining to those who purchase the game within Sun and Moon’s launch window from November 18 through January 11. Doing so will net you a Munchlax as a thank you for being an early adopter. When this little chub bucket evolves into Snorlax, we learn that for the first time in Pokémon’s history, not only is Snorlax on his feet, but he’s pissed and ready for blood.
Pokémon Sun and Moon can be yours on November 18, 2016.
Super Mario Maker 3DS
Did you miss the Wii U hit Super Mario Maker when it released last year? Fear not, as it will soon be arriving on the 3DS in a stripped down, simplified version. While it retains the classic structure and gameplay features like the 100 Mario Challenge, online level sharing has been removed, most likely due in part to the system’s nature of not always being online. Though, there is an added option of sharing levels via streetpass.This is a great idea for people in a large urban area like myself, but you small town folk might not feel the same value of the added support. Players are also now able to collaborate on a level creation via local multiplayer. While the online sharing feature will be missed, the game seems to pack plenty of content for the portable port including 100 Nintendo made levels. And even though Mario Maker 3DS doesn’t have the ability to upload levels online, it will pull from the vast library of user created levels for both the 100 Mario Challenge and the curated lists. I’m pretty pumped to be able to play some custom Mario levels on my morning commute.
Super Mario Maker 3DS drops on December 2nd.
Mario Party: Star Rush
It’s pretty widely believed that Mario Party has lost its way. The newest member of the family only reaffirms this notion. While no game should be judged before it’s release, the fundamental changes to the game’s mechanics represent a product that is so far reaching from what players want. Mario Party works best when you have four friends on a couch, in a turn based board game setting, putting their relationship at risk by engaging in infurious mini game trials and trashing each other’s abilities (and most likely, their moms.) Star Rush once again abandons this joy by streamlining the gameplay for a fast paced, less competitive experience. Sorry to count you out before you arrive, Mario Party, but you’ve changed.
Animal Crossing: Welcome Amiibo
While we already knew Amiibo support would come to the three year old Animal Crossing: New Leaf, we now know that it’s WAY cooler than anyone imagined. Quick Disclaimer: I’m biased as all hell when it comes to Animal Crossing, so make way for the Hype Train. Not only has AC:NL been updated to add Amiibo support for your single buy card backs and plastic figures. They’ve also implemented a fantastic feature in which visiting amiibo guests not only show up to say hi, but also take your long meticulously curated village and get a bit trashy by planting their brand new mobile home right on someone’s property. I’m pumped to see just how trailer park-y I can make my village.
Animal Crossing’s update will arrive this December as a free download to your existing copy, or you can purchase a new version of the game dubbed, Animal Crossing: Welcome Amiibo, which includes both the updated full game and one Amiibo card to get you started.
They’ve also announced that Animal Crossing will get is own Nintendo Direct later this fall. If I had to wager a guess, I’d say we get a reveal of the mobile game in development, as well as an NX version of the beloved franchise.
StreetPass Premium Update
One of my favorite parts of living in New York is the amount of people with whom I get to StreetPass. It’s wonderful, but now it’s even better, as Nintendo’s same day update (which means available now) not only gives the software a much needed speed boost, it also adds some pretty long awaited features. If you’ve been Street Passsing for ANY length of time now, you’ve probably grown weary of the software’s limit of ten visitors at a time. Now, if you were one of those who put money into Nintendo’s premium update a while back, you’ll gain access to a new queue system, which allows you to store up to 100 visitors at a time on your system to cycle through at your convenience. It wasn’t unplayable before, but there is a reason why my Mii Plaza has the highest play time on my 3DS by a pretty wide margin. THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS SIX YEARS LATER!
Nintendo has also added five new StreetPass games, which I’ve already found to be much more enjoyable than the last batch of games. While you can get either Slot Car Rivals, or Market Crashers for free, the others will cost you $2.99 a pop. You can also opt-in for a bundle package for $8.99.
Tank Troopers
They didn’t share much, but Nintendo’s upcoming release of the eshop exclusive Tank Troopers looks compelling. It’s a 6 player tank battling game that I can really only dub, “World of Tanks: Kids Edition.” If you like those types of games, go for it. Honestly, Nintendo’s previous forays into free to play competitive multiplayer (Steel Diver, Ironfall) were lukewarm at best. It will be interesting to see if this guy fares a bit differently.
Picross 3D: Round 2
In another same day surprise, Nintendo released the long awaited North American version of Picross 2 to the eshop. With fresh puzzles, new features, and a free demo to try, there’s a lot to be excited about. The first Picross 3D took hours of my life on the Nintendo DS, and from what I’ve played of the new version, it looks like the same thing is about to happen. Picross is a 3D puzzle game in which you eliminate blocks in a cube to form an image. It sounds boring, but it’s addictive and fun. It’s available right now in the eshop for $29.99, alongside a free demo version to try out.
NES Classic Edition
Reggie didn’t spend any time going into details over this guy. But he did acknowledge the existence and upcoming release of the NES Classic edition. The tiny little NES clone will pack 30 of your favorite old Nintendo titles and is sure to be the stocking stuffer of the season.
Zelda’s Dirty Thirty
Zelda is one of those things that I can’t quit. I’ll go nuts over anything remotely new for the series. You can imagine my excitement when I found out rather than celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Legend of Zelda by releasing a game that everyone is pining for, Nintendo has taken the high road and given us what we TRULY want.
Amiibos.
These special edition Amiibos commemorate the history of Zelda, and will have functionality in the upcoming Zelda game: Breath of the Wild.
They’ve also announced a new art book by Dark Horse Comics, known for their Hyrule Historia. Dubbed “Art & Artifacts”, the book has a crap ton of designs, images, and concept art from Zelda’s history. You can bet it’s available for pre-order on Amazon, and you can also bet that I’ve already done so.
Last, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is now available for the Wii U eshop. It wasn’t my favorite Zelda title, there’s no argument there, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless. If you haven’t played yet, it’s definitely worth your time.
Hyrule Warriors Legends DLC
Yeah… There’s new DLC for that 3DS port of Hyrule Warriors. It focuses on both Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. Go nuts….
For real though, I do own the Wii U version of Hyrule Warriors. It’s a fun nostalgia trip, but like most Dynasty Warriors games, (the series of which this is a spin-off) you quickly learn the game is low on substance, and high on grind.
Dragon Quest Announcements
Dragon Quest 7 is being remade for 3DS from the ground up. It looks colorful and great. It’s a very traditional JRPG, so if you’re not into those types of games perhaps look elsewhere, otherwise, you can check it out on September 16th. Great!
They’ve also shared (very quickly) that Dragon Quest 8 has been delayed into 2017. This is less news because it’s a pretty straight forward port of the classic PS2 game.
Yokai Watch 2 gets nasty
Move over Pokémon S&M, you’re not the only one with a suggestive name on the kid friendly handheld. Yokai watch is very much a Pokémon competitor, and they’re now moving deeper into the territory by releasing two versions of the upcoming sequel, dubbed Bony Spirits, and Fleshy Souls. I might be 27, but that doesn’t stop me from seeing the potential here for childish naming opportunities. I’ve never found the Yokai Watch game formula to be compelling, as it’s simplistic and a bit lulling, but if you’re into the series, I bet you’ve got a Bony for this.
…Okay, I’m done.
Disney Magical World 2
Disney’s Magical World series is a bit like animal crossing, but with a bit more to worry about. Rather than being Zen and at peace all the time in your own town, Magical World incorporates a plethora of mini-games in a variety of topics. It’s a fun time, and if you’re a Disney nut, you’ll probably get a kick out of this one.
There are also some pretty great looking Disney licensed 3DS themes releasing alongside the game. Honestly, that’s more exciting than the game itself.
Sonic Fire and Ice
It’s not Sonic Mania. Let’s move on.
Yoshi’s Wooly World 3DS
Once again, Nintendo reaches into the Wii U’s stellar library and gives us a worthy port for those who might have missed it the first time around. Poochy & Yoshi’s Wooly World not only includes every level from the Wii U version, it also features some new stages that star the wooly pup dubbed Poochy.
I get why this game exists. It was great on Wii U. However I honestly wish they would have gone with the Wii classic, Kirby’s Epic Yarn instead. Not only did I find it more charming overall, with a better soundtrack and vibe, but the Wii U’s graphics don’t always translate well to 3DS, and this game is all about the looks. Regardless, it’s neat that it will be available, and can be yours on February 3, 2017.
Ever Oasis
I’m happy they brought this game back out after it’s E3 reveal. It’s a unique looking RPG that focuses most on developing your town. We didn’t know a whole lot before now, but what seems to be a pretty standard looking action-RPG, let’s see what this game has to offer as it gets closer to release. It reminds me a bit of Fantasy Life, and that’s never a bad thing.
Mario Sports Superstars
Look, we are getting ever closer to the 3DS, end. The coffin shopping has begun and Nintendo has already pledged support through 2018. It’s deja-vu of how the Game Boy Advance was known as the “Third Pillar” to Nintendo that would live on, only to be killed off almost immediately once the DS took off.
Knowing this, it’s only natural that Mario Sports Superstars exists. It’s a compilation of 5 Mario sports games, including: Soccer, Baseball, Tennis, Golf and… Horseracing. Nintendo touts them as “full scale sports” games. Maybe they are, only time will tell. While Tennis and Golf already exist on the 3DS, they’re old and out of print, so to offer them in a bundle with new games is pretty great. My concern is that this title won’t do enough to distinguish itself from the older games. Like I said though, I recognize why this game exists, and it’s not terrible that it’s here.
Pikmin 3DS
If I had to use one word to describe the reveal of Pikmin 3DS, it would be this:
Polarizing.
Some of us at Pixelrater are stoked for this game (ahem, Antonio). I’m still skeptical. Pikmin has always been a notorious RTS title by using your character to manage Pikmin and solve puzzles in a 3D space. In this handheld version, we are thrown on a 2D plane and are tasked with the same goals. The whole thing kind of reminds me of that GBA version of Grand Theft Auto that came out. Great in theory, but awful in execution. Time will tell what we make of Pikmin 3DS at Pixelrater when it comes out, but for now, my guard is up.
Overall, I’d say this Direct was a success. It’s shown us how important the 3DS family and handheld market is to Nintendo. It also shows us they’re here to stay. For now, at least. I’m excited (and nervous) about some of Nintendo’s upcoming titles. What about you? Did the 3DS direct satisfy you? Were you left wanting more?
Let us know!
